Funeral of Yorkshire cricket captain Brian Close

The funeral of former Yorkshire and England cricket captain Brian Close will take place at a north Leeds church later this month.

The Service of thanksgiving will be at St Chad’s Parish Church on Otley Road, Far Headingley, at 12.30pm on Wednesday September 30.

Donations in his memory can be made at the service to the Yorkshire Cricket Foundation and Yorkshire Cancer Research.

Mr Close died at his home in Baildon, near Bradford, on Sunday, aged 84, after a long battle with cancer.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club president Dickie Bird, a former team-mate, described Mr Close as “an all-time great.”

Michael Vaughan, the former England captain, wrote on Twitter that Mr Close had “courage, bravery and madness” as a batsman and was “a true inspiration”.

Joe Root, the Yorkshire and England batsman, also took to Twitter to express his condolences. Very sad to hear of the passing of Brian Close, ” he posted. “A cricket legend whose fearless approach and bravery will always be remembered.”

Andrew Gale, the current Yorkshire captain, said: “He’s been around at Headingley throughout my career and he’s been an inspiration.”